GMR module

ABSTRACT

So that the parts and connections of a component, particularly a Giant Magneto-Resistor, may withstand external forces, a meander group ( 13 M,  14 M) with at least one meander element ( 13.1, . . . , 13 .n,  14.1, . . . , 14 .n) is positioned in both connection elements ( 13, 14 ) between a component cell ( 1 ) and the straight functional connection element ( 13 A,  14 A). A capacitor unit ( 2 ) is mounted on the meander group ( 13 M) of the first connection element ( 13 ) and on the meander group ( 14 M; of the second connection element ( 14 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a component, particularly a Giant Magnet-Resistor device, consisting of at least

[0002] A component cell that includes at least two connection elements that end in an essentially straight function connection element, and

[0003] A capacitor unit mounted on both connection elements.

[0004] A Giant Magnet-Resistor (GMR) module consists of a GMR cell with two essentially straight connection elements. A capacitor is connected to both connection elements.

[0005] The disadvantage is that this connection system, particularly during connection of the straight connection elements with other parts and elements of the overall system with other parts and elements, is subjected to forces that may lead to destruction of the connections or of parts of the connection system. Since the GMR cell is relatively small geometrically, it may be the first active element to be destroyed.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore further to develop a component, particularly a Giant Magnet-Resistor (GMR) module, of the type described above so that its parts and connections may withstand external mechanical forces.

[0007] This object is achieved by the invention in that:

[0008] A meander group with at least one meander element is positioned in both first and second connection elements between the component cell and the straight function connection element, and

[0009] The capacitor is positioned on the meander group of the first connection element and on the meander group of the second connection element.

[0010] The advantages achieved by the intention particularly consist of the fact that mechanical decoupling is provided by the meander groups. This mechanical decoupling occurs first in the connection elements, and second, between the elements. Thus, the mechanical loading of the GMR unit is avoided. This prevents the occurrence of cracks. The individual meander elements of the meander group in the connection elements relieve the length alterations that may arise in automobiles under temperature loads between minus 40° C. and plus 160° C.

[0011] The capacitor unit may be soldered onto the meander group of the first and the second connection elements. A solder connection is a very effective and low-cost connection.

[0012] The meander elements may be rectangular, sinusoidal, or sawtooth shaped, or in the form of a damped oscillation curve. In principle, all serpentine shapes such as rectangular, sinusoidal, or sawtooth provide the meander element with the same mechanical decoupling. The meander elements may also be in the form of slotted and drawn sheet metal elements similar to a rib mesh, which is also capable of providing mechanical decoupling.

[0013] An expansion loop unit may be positioned between the meander group and the component cell in the first and the second connection element. The expansion loop unit may also be in the form of an expansion loop joint in a tube. On the one hand, the expansion loop element contributes to further mechanical decoupling. Moreover, it ensures a properly positioned connection between the component cell and the capacitor unit. One should mention at this point that another resistor or other component of a passive component might be used here instead of a capacitor unit.

[0014] The two connection elements may be rectangular, triangular, or circular shaped, or similar. The shape of the connection elements used depends on the specific installation and manufacturing motions involved.

[0015] The component cell may be a Giant Magneto-Resistor cell. The component cell may also be a cell containing a component of another shape.

[0016] The Giant Magneto-Resistor cell may include a semiconductor strip with needles and/or short-circuiting rasters. It may, however, be otherwise shaped.

[0017] An examplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the illustrations, and is described in detail below. The illustrations show:

[0018]FIG. 1 A GMR module in a schematic overhead view, and

[0019]FIG. 2 a GMR module as in FIG. 1 in a schematic lateral view.

[0020] As FIGS. 1 and 2 show, a GMR module consists of:

[0021] A Giant Magneto-Resistor (GMR) cell 1, and

[0022] A capacitor unit 2.

[0023] The GMR cell 1 includes a GMR housing element 12, on which a GMR element is mounted. The GMR element is a magnetic resistor with reluctance R_(m). In a magnetic circuit, the reluctance is the quotient of the magnetic voltage V divided by the magnetic flux φ, i.e.: $R_{m} = \frac{V}{\phi}$

[0024] The inverse value of the magnetic resistance is denoted as magnetic conductance Λ.

[0025] The magnetic resistor, also known as a magneto-resistor (field plate), is used to achieve high signal voltage levels under low-current conditions. With such a component, one is challenged to make the relative resistance alteration as large as possible, and to make these resistors with the minimum surface area possible.

[0026] The Hall effect that prevents achievement of high resistance alterations within a magnetic field may be almost completely eliminated by the insertion of InSb needles into the InSb crystal (self-conducting or dosed), or by the inclusion of a short-circuiting grid onto a homogenic InSb crystal. Another option to overcome the Hall effect is the use of a round disk making contact at its center and about its circumference (corbinodisk).

[0027] Two connection elements 13, 14 extend essentially parallel to each other from the GMR housing 12.

[0028] An expansion loop element 13K, 14K is mounted in each connection element directly behind the GMR housing element. The expansion loop element may be essentially step-shaped. It may also be formed into each connection element as Ω-shaped, V-shaped, or similar element configurations.

[0029] A meander group 13.n, 14.n consisting of individual meander elements 13.1, . . . , 13.n, 14.1, . . . , 14.n is included in both connection elements 13, 14 after the expansion loop element.

[0030] As FIG. 1 particularly shows, the two connection elements are made of a strap-rail material. The individual meander elements 13.1, . . . , 14.1, . . . are formed as a square wave in the connection elements thus shaped. Each meander group includes six meander elements 13.1, . . .

[0031] After the two shaped meander groups 13M, 14M, the connection elements 13, 14 continue in a function connection element 13A extending straight. Connection with other components, circuit units, or similar devices is established to the essentially linear shaped function connection elements.

[0032] The capacitor unit 2 is positioned on the two opposing meander groups 13M, 14M of the two connection elements 13, 14.

[0033] The capacitor unit 2 includes a capacitor connection element 12 on which a capacitor element 21 is mounted. The connection between the capacitor unit 2 and the two connection elements is performed in such a manner that the meander groups 13M, 14M are supported by the capacitor connection element 12 and the capacitor element 21 on top of it.

[0034] As FIG. 2 particularly shows, the expansion loop element 13K, 14K is so shaped that the lower edge of the GMR housing element 12 and the lower edge of the capacitor element 21 are co-planar. Thus, the GMR module may be installed in a proper position.

[0035] The GMR housing element 12 is essentially rectangular shaped. A connector group may be positioned on at least one of the free faces. In FIG. 2, a connector group 15, a connector group 16 and a connector group 17 are mounted on the three free faces.

[0036] As soon as the GMR module is installed, it is subject to thermal loading. Operating temperatures may vary between minus 40 and plus 160° C. At these extreme temperature differentials, the position and length of the materials change. An effective mechanical decoupling of the very sensitive GMR cell 1 is provided by the meander groups 13M, 14M. Since the individual meander elements 13.1, . . . , 14.1, . . . absorb the forces caused by alteration in length, the sensitive GMR cell is protected. This ensures that it may positively perform its function in any circuit configuration. 

1. Component, especially a Giant Magneto-Resistor device, consisting of at least A component cell (1) that includes at least two connection elements (13, 14), each of which ends in an essentially straight function connection element (13A, 14A), and A capacitor unit (2) that is positioned on both connection elements (13A, 14A), characterized in that A meander group (13M, 14M) with at least one meander element (13.1, . . . , 13.n, 14.1, . . . , 14.n) is positioned in the two connection elements (13, 14) between the component cell (1) and the straight function connection element (13A, 14A), and The capacitor unit (2) is positioned on the meander group (13M) of the first connection element (13) and on the meander group (14M) of the second connection element (14).
 2. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that the capacitor unit (2) is soldered onto the meander group (13M, 14M) of the first and the second connection elements (13, 14).
 3. Device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the meander elements (13.1, . . . , 13.n, 14.1, . . . , 14.n) are rectangular, sinusoidal, or sawtooth shaped, or in the form of a damped oscillation curve.
 4. Device as in claims 1 through 3 characterized in that an expansion loop element (13K, 14K) is positioned between the meander group (13M, 14M) and the component sell (1) in the first and the second connection element (13, 14).
 5. Device as in claims 1 through 4, characterized in that each expansion loop element (13K, 14K) is of telescoping design.
 6. Device as in claims 1 through 5, characterized in that both connection elements (13, 14) are rectangular, triangular, or circular shaped.
 7. Device as in claims 1 through 6, characterized in that the component cell is a Giant Magneto-Resistor (1).
 8. Device as in claims 1 through 7, characterized in that the Giant Magneto-Resistor cell (1) includes a semiconductor strip with needles and/or short-circuiting grids. 